Why is it so easy to swallow food but not pills?

Question

Why is it so easy to swallow food but not pills?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Due to the hydrophilic nature of gelatin capsules, the conditions by which capsules are swallowed has a dramatic effect.

If the throat is wet and capsules dry, they stick to the surface, same goes when the capsules are wet and throat is dry. If both surfaces are wet everything goes down easily.

Best practice is to drink a couple gulps of water to wet the throat, then place the capsules in the mouth and swish with additional water, swallow and then chase with more water.